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Shark Valley
Open Air Tram Ride
Most of the visitors to Shark Valley take the tram ride instead of walking, so don’t feel badly if you decide to join them.
The Shark Valley tram ride follows a 15- mile long hard-surfaced trail
that bores directly into the heart of the Glades wilderness.
Beginning
on the hour, every hour, from 9 a.m. and almost until closing, the open air tram travels for
2-hours on a hard surfaced road to view birds, gators, deer, turtles
and other animals. (Recent wildlife sightings) This is a lot of territory to cover in a short period of time, so prolonged stops for wildlife photography are rarely possible.
At the half-way point the tram stops at a 50-foot high observation
tower which provides a wonderfully panoramic look deep into the Glades.
The tram then returns by a different road that parallels the first. With a narrow canal bordering the left side of the tram road, the
scenery is totally different from the first half.
The best trips for birding and wildlife viewing are usually the
first and last tram rides of the day.
The 2-hour tram rides start at 9 a.m., with the last one at 4 p.m., 2 hours before the park's closing time at 6. The tram is handicapped
accessible. Times are always subject to change, so call ahead to verify.
Reservations are recommended for the tram ride December through March, when Shark Valley receives the most visitors. In fact, some years Shark Valley receives more visitors than Homestead due to the popularity of the tram excursion.
The rides are also offered during summer but on a reduced schedule. Call 305/221-8455 or check the web site.
Located in the northern-most sector of Everglades
National Park, the Shark Valley entrance is a long distance from Homestead. It is located on U.S. Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail,) 25 miles west of the Florida Turnpike (SR 821,) or 39 miles east of SR 29.
If you have a Navigation System, the address to enter depends on the software your device is currently using. The first address you should work with is:
Shark Valley Loop Road
Miami, FL 33194
(if asked for a cross street, enter US Highway 41)
Units based more on a Mapquest-type system should recognize:
36000 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL 33194
(make sure the printout shows 36000, not 3600)
If you input GPS coordinates, Shark Valley is at:
N 25' 45.385' W 80' 45.994'
Phone number for the Shark Valley Visitor Office is 305/221-8776. Website
To Shark Valley Info
To Shark Valley nature hikes
To Shark Valley tram road
To Shark Valley bike trail
To Everglades Home Page
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